10 steps towards a successful extended family photoshoot in Surrey & Hampshire.

10 steps to help you get started when you’re planning a big extended family photoshoot at your next family gathering.

Have you been talking about a big extended family photoshoot for some time now, but you’re overwhelmed about planning it? If so this blog gives you a quick 10 step to-do list, to get you on the right track to planning your big extended family photoshoot.

If you want to know more about how to book a large family photoshoot, my service details and pricing, head to my family session information page here.

The most precious family photoshoots

When getting the whole family together is a rarity; photographs become central to the family experience!

Given that it’s such a precious day, and you’ve decided you want to bring in a professional photographer to help you record your time together, it’s worth getting ahead of yourself and mapping out a plan to ensure everyone’s in the picture.

Large extended family photoshoots are an incredibly rewarding event, but if you’ve planned anything like this yourself in the past, you’ll know it won’t happen by chance!

Extended family photoshoots take careful and tenacious planning, as well as a whole lot of love and devotion to the cause, to bring everyone together at the same time and place.

So that’s why I’m sharing my 10 steps to planning a successful extended family photoshoot in Surrey & Hampshire. I hope this guide gives you some clarity and foresight, to help you get started; so you’re that bit closer to achieving an unforgettable family day with a beautiful set of photographs to help you all remember the occasion.

Why just 10 steps?

There’s certainly more than 10 things to do, towards planning an extended family gathering and photoshoot! Yes! I know how family life goes sometimes!

However, I’m hoping these key steps will help you on your way to a really enjoyable time planning such a special event for your family!

Why Surrey & Hampshire?

I am located on the border of these two wonderful counties, in Farnham, and as most of my clients are from either Surrey or Hampshire, I’ve added some of my favourite location ideas as additional information at the bottom of this blog.

Why do I like to photograph extended family gatherings?

I am so fond of photographing a big family gathering, as they really tap into my ‘Why’.

(ie: all the big reasons why I chose this job, photographing families, in Surrey and Hampshire.)

• I enjoy establishing a connection with each family I photograph, making everyone feel comfortable and at ease in front of me and my camera.

• I especially love that feeling of satisfaction I get from helping a big family achieve such special portraits and candid images, that bring everyone together and remind them of how special their family is.

• I’m thrilled to run these photoshoots as I get to deliver on my 14 years experience as a family photographer, having photographed many large family gatherings across Surrey and Hampshire, over this time.

• I love seeing the family dynamics at play and creating relaxed family portraits that subtly bring out a families personal story.

• I really enjoy these sessions for a very empathic reason. Many of the extended family gatherings I photograph, are for families who have travelled long distances to be together, either across the country and/or from other parts of the world. As an ‘ex-pat’ New Zealander, and a mum with my own children here in Farnham, but with my extended family on the other side of the world, I especially appreciate what it means to gather your family around you! For many of the large extended families I photograph, their spending together is like gold dust! Precious and deserving of a really relaxed, fun and efficient time with their photographer. ; )

“It’s no small task but the reward is an irreplaceable day filled with love, connection and unforgettable memories.“

So here are my 10 steps to planning a successful extended family photoshoot in Surrey & Hampshire.

My 10 recommended first steps towards a successful extended family photoshoot in Surrey and Hampshire.

1. Start the conversation early!

As you will know, family life is super busy! The earlier you start chatting the more time you’ll have to get every family member on board.

2. Get your date in the calendar quick smart!

Allow 4 – 6 months in advance to ensure you find a date that works for everyone and this also gives you the best opportunity to secure your chosen photographer. Ask family members to explore every avenue to make sure the date is completely ‘safe’. This could include contacting school/university/sports coaches, your boss, to ensure the day is completely clear. It’s not uncommon for something to sneak up on one member of the family, who is then missing from the big shot on the day. For one family it was their sons compulsory national tennis tournament that added in an extra meet up at the last minute. For another family, their daughter had to complete additional residency hours at her university placement but hadn’t factored this in when they set the date for their photoshoot.

3. Plan for a back up date too!

Whilst you’re chatting, get a back up date in the calendar. Before you plan any further, try to get everyone to commit to the back up date, making sure everyone has it in their diary. This can be useful for so many reasons. Someone may fall ill and potentially miss being a part of the big family group photograph; and/or if your heart’s set on an outdoor photoshoot we could be unlucky with the weather! Fingers crossed none of these things happen but alway best to play it safe if you have your heart set on having every family member being in that big family portrait.

4. Decide on the type of gathering you’re having and where it’s going to be.

The majority of families I work with do one of two things. Many of the families I photograph enjoy meeting me at a local nature reserve and then head home afterwards for a BBQ, a Sunday Roast or book in at their favourite local pub or restaurant. I’ve also worked with a number of families who have the space to entertain large family groups in their garden at home, alongside a lunch. If this is you and you’re organising this photoshoot and family gathering, then this is an easy decision already ticked off your to-do list. I have some additional recommendations and tips further down in this article, about locations below.

5. Set a budget for your photographer

…. and have chat together about how you will pay for it. In some circumstances, if you are organising and hosting the event, you might want book and pay for the photographer yourself as part of the hosts offering. : ) Alternatively, lots of families split the cost between everyone. Extended family photoshoots do cost a little more, due to the size of your group and the additional planning and correspondence before and after the session. But, a good photographer will make sure your event is carefully planned and they will give you a good range of photographs to choose from, ensuring that it is a great investment for everyone.

6. Choosing your photographer

When searching for a photographer start with a google search. Specifying your chosen local area and ‘extended family photoshoot’ as your initial search criteria. From there, narrow down to those that best match your family style and budget, then have a chat with them.

Ensure you get a consensus on your chosen photographer too.

Having everyone on board with the process of choosing your photographer will help to keep the family’s commitment and enthusiasm levels high. Everyone’s more likely to feel mutually invested and will therefor look forward to it more too. In addition, if they’ve seen the photographer’s website online, read about them and perhaps followed some of their content on social media they’ll know the photographer a little better and hopefully feel less nervous about the photoshoot as a result.

7. Things to ask a photographer when choosing:

First things first, are they available on your chosen day? How do they plan for a family photoshoot? What type of service will you get from the photographer? Do they have a gallery system that can be shared with family members online? Can all family members register and share their favourite images within the gallery system and order their own prints? (This really helps with the image selection process afterwards). Do they have an all inclusive shoot and image price? Choosing images as a large family group, living at a distance from each, other can make consensus tricky. Having a ‘buy all images’ package means you can all gain access to the images straight away once the photographer has shared them with you to view. Do they have a multi album design service? An album is a really nice momento for everyone after a large extended family photoshoot. Does the photographer restrict their time with you on the day or can they offer your some flexibility? Do they offer you a wet weather back up date? Are they insured? Find out how they manage a shot list. Will that be a bespoke plan, worked out with you? Or is the photographer in charge and guided by their own style of story telling? Discuss if you want just group portraits or playful moments as well and/or reportage photographs of the days activity. Does the time of day impact the photographers style or can they fit in around your families schedule with lunch plans and/or small children’s naps and energy levels. Do they photograph dogs/pets too?

8. Decide who will be the overall communicator with the photographer.

Having one person in charge of communications with your photographer makes for a really smooth process; both before, during and after the event! There’s been occasions where I’ve had different family members organising different parts of the day with me prior to the shoot only to find that not everyone was on the same page about each others idea of how the day was going to go! : ) …. and/or different family members have insisted on ordering photographs separately and then doubled up on digital orders and retouching requests, costing everyone additional time to money. It can be so much easier and better for everyone if you delegate one family communicator, to liaise between the family and the photographer, for the whole process or sections of the process.

So find one person in the family who is willing to take on this job as a whole. Or at the very least, share it out between a couple of family members. One family member for pre-event planning, one for on the day coordination with the photographer…. etc.

9. Plan with the photographer.

Make sure they know what the emphasis of the shoot is so they use your shoot time wisely. If they have a questionnaire make sure you fill it in and if there’s something you feel they need to know about your family or anyone with specific needs and /or physical limitations (such as elderly family members or an anxious child ),….make sure you let them know, so they can make accommodations!

10. Decide on a loose dress code for your group

Lots of rules with a big group just won’t work! But it is great if everyone looks like they’re together at the same event!

You will look more cohesive and joined up, if you decide if it’s going to be a formal or casual dress code. If it’s a garden lunch/bbq you could suggest everyone wears shirts/summer dresses/light trousers. If it’s a forest location photoshoot followed by a pub lunch then jeans, smart trainers and casual jackets might be a more suitable family vibe. : )

Consider colours too. Colour can help create a sense of unity and balance in a large family portrait. However, very specific colour schemes for a large group photograph can look a bit contrived! Equally so, a broad array of colours and styles can look really chaotic. Opt for a relaxed/general colour scheme. This might be light and soft colours, for a summer BBQ. Or Autumnal hues for an Autumn/winter photoshoot. I have a helpful wardrobe guide which I send out to families a few months prior to your extended family photoshoot, which gives sound advice for your large family group.

TESTIMONIALS

“We had a wonderful day with Sarah and absolutely loved the photographs! It was our first time having professional photographs taken, but Sarah made us feel really comfortable and understood exactly what we wanted. I cannot recommend highly enough. Many thanks again Sarah!“

Elizabeth Pretorius

“Sarah ticked every box. So friendly and patient (especially with 4 year old!), made everyone feel relaxed, and got some wonderful shots. Even with the challenge of a big family group & those not keen on having photos taken. Couldn’t recommend Sarah more highly. More than 5 stars!”

Jenny Davies

Location advice for extended family photoshoots in Surrey and Hampshire

As a family photographer based in Farnham, Surrey, I’ve photographed a number of extended family photoshoots across Surrey and Hampshire.

An equal number of these photoshoots have taken place in family homes and in local forests and nature reserves. Both options work really well. Here are some key points to consider for each option.

Having an extended family photoshoot at your home.

Photoshoots on a private estate are always very relaxed affairs. If you are entertaining a very large extended family, space becomes premium! Look at your space and consider where everyone will sit, where you might serve food and, of course, where you’ll have your photographs.

My style of photography accommodates larger family estates with access to open shade. So this is key to organising a successful extended family photoshoot at your home in Surrey and Hampshire. Open shade can come from the side of your house, a fence line of tall hedges or from the canopy of a mature tree or tall hedges. Having some open shade allows for soft and flattering light, even on the sunniest of days, resulting in the type of softly lit images you see on my website. The time of day when you wish to have the photoshoot will then need to be taken into consideration when checking for open shade on your property. If you are unsure about the suitability of your property for an extended family photoshoot, please get in touch with me to chat through your family event. 9/10 times your home location will be perfect. It might just require some pre-planning with consideration to the light and time of day.

Having an extended family photoshoot at a local forest or nature reserve.

We are very lucky in Surrey and Hampshire to have some of the most scenic country parks, forests, nature reserves and gardens. For this reason we have a great deal of choice.

As a large group it’s worth considering how you can access your chosen location. Is there generous parking for more than a few cars? Will we have a long way to walk to our photo spot and can everyone manage the walk and standing around time during the photoshoot. Is there a toilet? Do you need a permit or permission to be photographed there?

It can sometimes be worth considering a lesser known location or quieter time of day (such as the early evening), so your photoshoot isn’t interrupted too often by other walking groups.

I have an extensive knowledge of local parks, gardens, reserves and forests within Hampshire and Surrey. So once you’ve booked in with me, we can have a chat about your location needs and I can advise on your options and arrange for a permit if required. Here are just a few examples of locations I’ve used for extended family photoshoots in Surrey and Hampshire:

Gardens:

Kew Gardens, RHS Wisley Gardens, West Green House Garden, Gilbert White’s House and Garden, The Saville Garden, Ramster Hall and Gardens.

Favourite Nature Reserves:

Frensham Great Pond, Thursley Common, Elstead Common, RSPB Farnham Heath, Fleet Pond, Headley Down

Forests:

Alice Holt Forest and The Arboretum, Micheldever Woods, Banstead Woods, New Forest National Park, Chawton Park woods, Banstead Woods.

Parks:

Box Hill, Farnham park, Light Water Country Park, Gatton park, Queen Elizabeth Country Park

READ ABOUT MY FAMILY SESSIONS:

Go to my family session info page here, to find out more about how my service works.

WORK WITH ME

As your local Farnham photographer, I understand just how special this day is, and I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way to ensure your time together is captures in a beautiful and relaxed manner. If you think I might be the ideal photographer for your extended family photoshoot then do get in touch for a chat here. >

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ABOUT ME

Sarah Angel is a professional newborn and family photographer based in Farnham, Surrey and photographs families across Greater London, North Hampshire and Surrey.

A UK Kiwi Mum, she is Fine Art trained and holds a 1st class honours award in Photography.

Prior to establishing her family photography business, she worked in education as a Secondary School Art and Photography teacher, for 20 years.

She continues to teach, running photography workshops for adult beginners, in the Farnham area.

You can read more about Sarah Angel here>